Hand protector



c. F. JENSEN HAND PROTECTOR Feb. 2, 1937.

Filed May 1, 1934 INVENTOR. CARL ft JE/vs EN.

A TTORNEYT Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hand protectorsand method of making same and has particular relation to a simple andinexpensive means for covering and protecting the thumb and fingerswhile using steel wool or the like whereby particles of such materialare prevented from penetrating the skin.

The means of the invention is also useful to prevent dirt and greaseentering under the finger nails of a user when washing or scouringcooking utensils and the like.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments of the inventionare shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations andmodifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeof the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View showing my improved protector in use;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the protector in a flat or normalcondition;

Fig. 3 is an edge view looking from the lower side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view showing the device in somewhat the condition of Fig. 1but free of the hand of an operator; 7

Fig. 5 is a view looking from the right in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an edge View of a modification, a portion being broken away toshow a detail; and N Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the device of Fig.6.

Referring in detail to the drawing and at first particularly to Figs. 1through 5, my improved protector generally designated Ill is shown asformed from thin sheet rubber and comprises a normally fiatpouch-like'portion II of such size as to more or less snugly receive theend portions of the four fingers of one hand whereby to encase suchportions of the fingers somewhat after the fashion of a mitten. Thispouch portion being normally flat as shown best in Fig. 3 must bestretched somewhat to receive the fingers as indicated. In opposedrelation to the open end I2 of the pouch II is the open end I3 of a cotI4. The cot and pouch are joined by a flexible connecting portion or webI5 which, as shown, is as broad as the open end of the pouch and isgradually tapered or narrowed down to the width of the cot.

In the manufacture of this protector I0 uncured sheet rubber isprovided, to form a pair of layers and such layers may comprisea stripor sheet in one piece for one layer while the other layer is composed ofa pair of strips of which one is at least of a width equal to the depthof the pouch II while the other is of a width equal to the depth of thecot I4. If desired, this second layer instead of comprising separatestrips as mentioned may be formed by folding over the edges of the sheetforming the first layer or one portion of said second layer may be inthe form of a second strip while the other portion thereof results fromdoubling over the longitudinal edge of the first sheet or strip.

When the two layers are provided as indicated it will be clear that onelayer will include a pair of spaced opposing edges. Now, the uncuredstock is cut to provide a protector of the desired shape, such as theshape shown best in Fig. 2, and the cutting operation tends to cause theadjacent or adjoining cut edges of the upper and lower layers to adhereor weld to one another. Next, the cut article is cured and the curingresults in the cut edges being sealed or locked together. This, ofcourse, leaves the spaced opposed edges of the second layer of stockuncut and results in the formation of the opposed open ends I2 and I3 ofthe pouch II .and cot I4 respectively. I

V When the holder I0 is to be used the four fingers of the user areinserted into the pouch portion II and the thumb of the same hand isinserted into the cot I4. The free end portions of the finger and thumbare thus completely enclosed ina. rather tight fitting thin flexiblesheet rubber casing and if scouring is to be done by the use of steelwool or the like, a pad of which is indicated at I6 in Fig. 1, smallsplinters or particles of the steel wool will not cut or scratch orbecome embedded in the fingers of the user. Connecting portion or web I5between the pouch portion .II and the cot I4 offers protection to theinner surfaces of the exposed portions of the fingersand thumb and alsoaffords protection to the palm of the hand of the user.

'While the device is illustrated as used when handling a pad or wad ofsteel wool it will be apparent that the protector is useful for handlingother articles. The device may be used in the kitchen for generalcleaning or when washing dishes and particularly when scouring pans andwill serve to prevent dirt and grease entering under the finger nails.Further, the device may be used in shops and particularly by woodfinishers or cabinet makers when employing steel wool or similarmaterial or sand paper or the like for finishing a surface.

' Attentionis directed to the fact that the cot J4, has its entrance I3flaring outwardly to each side offthe longitudinal center line of thecot. Such center line of the cot aligns with a center line drawn acrossthe fiat face of the pouch por- ;tion of ,the holder and thisconstruction makes the holder equally applicable to either hand of auser. That is, the finger and cot portions are disposed equally atopposite sides of a common longitudinal center line drawn across theface of the relatively flat finger portion and the cot and thus theholder may be worn on either hand of a user without stretching of theconnecting portion (l5 or 2|).

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 the improved holder of such figures isgenerally designated I! and comprises a pouch-like portion l8 which ispreferably of relatively stiff rubber formed either by dipping ormoulding and having a strengthening or re-enforcing bead l9 about itsopen end. Secured to one side of the pouch I 8 and extending up somewhatabout the edges thereof is a sheet which preferably is of rubber butwhich may be of leather or the like. This sheet 20 is cemented orotherwise secured to the pouch l8 and the sheet includes an extension 2|projecting beyond the open end of the pouch and at its free end carryinga cot 22 having its open end arranged in opposed relation to the openend of the pouch.

The sheet 20 and cot 22 may be integral and may be formed of rubber bymoulding or dipping as desired and the cot may be provided with astrengthening or re-enforcing bead 23 about its open end andcorresponding with the bead IQ of the pouch. At the under-side of thepouch l8 the sheet 20 is provided with an opening or recess 24 and ametal clip 25 is passed through the under wall of, the pouch and has ahook portion 26 located in said cut-out or recess 24. This hook portion26 is adapted to have a suitable working instrumentality attached to itas for example a pad or wad of steel wool may have the hook 26 hookedinto it so as to attach it to the protector I! to form a unit therewith.Since the hook is located within the recess 24 it will not be in the waywhen the protector is being used with a means other than a pad of steelwool or the like.

The extension 2| of sheet 20 is not secured to the pouch portion l8 ofthe holder. Further the sheet itself is secured to said pouch portion atthe closed or finger tip portion thereof or in spaced relation to theopen end thereof. Thus protector I! is so constructed that the thumbpart may be easily bent back over the finger receiving part to hold anabrasive pad.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple andefficient means to protect the hand of a user against particles of steelwool and against grease or dirt entering under the nails. The device isof inexpensive construction and may be cheaply manufactured and whenthis device is used a pad or the like of steel wool may be completelyused up since its position may readily be changed in the hand. At thepresent time pads of steel or bronze wool are attached to wooden blocksand the like and with such arrangements it is not possible toturn thepad about. Also, before the pad is completely worn out it must bediscarded when such blocks are used, and of course the block or holdersare thrown away with the used pads. With the present arrangement theprotector is not thrown away but may be used with any desired number ofpads of wool and for other purposes. Further, the present means has atight or elastic fit whereby it will not slip off the hand of a user.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a hand protector, a pouch portion, a sheet of material securedagainst one side of said pouch and having an extension projecting beyondthe open end thereof, a thumb cot on said extension, and a metal clip atthe sheet side of said pouch and to which a pad of abrasive may besecured.

2. In a hand protector, a pouch portion, a sheet of material securedagainst one side of said pouch, and a metal clip at the sheet side ofsaid pouch and to which a pad of abrasive may be secured.

3. In a hand protector, a pouch portion, a sheet of material securedagainst one side of said pouch and having an extension projecting beyondthe open end thereof, a thumb cot on the end of said extension andhaving its open end facing the open end of the pouch, said sheet havinga recess therein, and a metal clip secured to said pouch and having aportion passing through a wall thereof and located in said recess tohave a pad of abrasive secured thereto.

4. In a hand protector, a relatively fiat finger portion to receive thetip portions of the fingers of a hand, a cot portion to receive the endportion of the thumb of the same hand, said portions having theirentrances arranged in opposing relation, a flexible means connectingsaid finger and cot portions, said cot portion having its entrancefiaring outwardly to each side of its center line, and said cot portionarranged to have its center line align with a center line drawn across aflat face of the finger portion whereby the protector is equallyapplicable to each hand of a user.

5. In a hand protector, a relatively fiat finger portion to receive thefingers of. a hand, a cot portion to receive the thumb of the same hand,said portions formed of rubber, a flexible rubber portion to extendacross the palm of the hand and connecting said finger and cot portionswhereby they may be moved relatively and said finger and cot portionsbeing disposed equally at opposite sides of a common longitudinal centerline drawn across the face of said relatively flat finger portion andthe cot whereby the device may be used on either hand with saidconnecting portion extending across the palm of the hand and wherebywith the protector on either hand the thumb cot may be brought againstthe center of a pad of abrasive or the middle fingers of the handwearing the device without stretching of the said connecting portion.

6. In a hand protector, a finger receiving means having a thickenedportion, said thickened portion having a recess therein, and means insaid recess to which a pad of abrasive may be secured.

'7. In a hand protector, a flexible finger receiving means, a metal clipat the palm side of said means and including a resilient penetratingpart to penetrate and clamp an abrasive pad against the finger tipreceiving portion of said means whereby with his finger tips a partyusing the means may press a secured pad against a piece of work.

8. In a hand protector, a means open at its inner end to receive thefingers of a hand, a thumb cot to receive the thumb of the same hand. aflexible means for operatively attaching said thumb cot to said means,and said flexible means having one end portion secured to said cot andhaving its other end portion fixed to said means at the palm sidethereof in spaced relation to its open end.

CARL F. JENSEN.

